Most Americans think the war against Iraq is linked to September 11th
This is sad. See this CNN article.
“If we don’t act now to get these weapons away from him, we are going to suffer.”
When the war is over, keep your eyes peeled for reports of finding those mystical “weapons of mass destruction.” I have a feeling that when all this is over, the cause that everyone thought we were fighting for will have been forgotten.
Blatant propoganda
Bush just gave his evening speech, and during and afterwards I heard two things that disgusted me:
Bush: “…we will fight in Iraq so we do not need to fight with firefighters, police, and doctors on our own streets…”
Analyst after the speech on Fox news: “…the military is now working to take out key Al Queda I mean Iraqi leadership…”
I feel sick… The war in Iraq has nothing to do with terrorism or regime change… it’s about oil.
Anti-war protest idea: Gas boycott
It would never happen, but it makes sense. Protestors: stop waving your banners in front of public buildings and start blocking the entrances to gas stations. That would send a strong message…
Economics of war
I would appreciate it if someone could enlighten me. The economics of this war do not make sense. According to past articles I’ve read (see previous posts on my blog), the oil in Iraq is estimated to only be worth $20B at full production. According to part articles I’ve read about what this war is going to cost, both in military terms and oil infrastructure rebuilding terms (see previous posts, again), I can’t figure how this war is going to cost us any less than $10B.
$10B profit, at an additional cost of:
a) the rest of the world hating us, increasing the likelyhood of terrorism against our nation => increased fear => increased “homeland security” spending and aa) decreased international investment in America.
b) continued investment into the middle east protecting the 51st state (my little joke).
c) many dead Americans and even more dead Iraqis on our hands.
d) more Americans ashamed to be American => reduced productivity
e) oil gets a 10-20 year additional lease on life
I would really appreciate a solid explanation. It doesn’t make sense…
Poll: 30% of Americans are immune to propoganda
In a shocking turn of events to Bush Administration, a recent CNN poll found that at least 30% of Americans have become immune to war propoganda, and do not support military action against Iraq. (sarcasm)
Dear Secretary of State Colin Powell,
I have great respect for you as a leader and a politician, and I feel that you may be able to answer a question I have related to the “brain drain” that is going on this country and how it is related to the [impending] war with Iraq.
In your writing (Lessons for Leaders slidedeck, etc.) you stress America’s current state and future as a “brain-based economy.” I interpret this to mean that strengthening education and building core compentencies as a nation are goals we should strive for. Example: We are the #1 exporter of software and airplanes, but that lead is slipping fast; we need to find new and fund existing “brain-based” industries in this country if we want to remain competitive and ahead of the curve in the international market.
Talent scouts are coming to this nation almost weekly now and enticing our best and brightest to leave the country for jobs in other countries. Last month I heard of a group from Australia that was trying to persuade Californians to move to Australia to start new businesses.
One of Bush’s first decisions in office was to impose a 30% tariff on steel imports. This allowed steelworkers to keep their jobs in a dying industry rather than be retrained in another. Owners of steel companies remain wealthy.
Academics everywhere are banding together to oppose the war with Iraq. Many are threatening walkouts. Students are striking. Entire univeristy faculty bodies are issuing statements against war. Meanwhile state’s budgets are hurting, education spending is decreasing, and the cost of tuition is skyrocketing.
People all across this nation, including myself, have come to the conclusion that America is not a place they would want to raise children. Who wants to bring a child into a world where they can not get a decent education?
Is this Administration attempting to implode the United States of America by stripping it of it’s “brain based” resources?
Crypto export lawmakers are RETARDED
I just read this on a piece of ipsec software I’m downloading… The web form makes you agree to the following: Do you certify that you are not located in, or a national or resident of, any of the following countries: Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Serbia, Sudan, Syria and the Taliban Occupied Part of Afghanistan?
If I was, would I tell the truth? And if I’m not telling the truth, what would you do about it? Lawmakers: are you freaking retarded?
This is one of the best board games every made; I can’t possibly see how it would work as an online computer game. With the group dynamics gone I don’t see how this would be any fun. I’m gonna have to give a preemptive thumbs down on this one.
Speaking of board games: Peurto Rico is an excellent new game from Rio Grande Games. If you haven’t played it, run out and buy it, you won’t be disappointed.
Beastie Boys speak out against the war
Way to go B-Boys!
Unfortunately The Slate had a much less positive reaction, calling it a “meek protest song.” The Slate and MSNBC has been really pro-war lately (actually that goes for basically all American news sources), I despised their comments they made about the Pope earlier this week, I thought it was totally innappropriate. I’m not surprised they took this opportunity to take a small stab at the Beastie Boys.
It made me happy to hear their song. Their last two tracks they’ve published (“Alive”, and now this song), both have mellow super-positive lyrics. I’ve always been a B-Boys fan, so I can appreciate their progression to where they’re at now, musically speaking. Dip dip dive; so socialize; open up your ears and clean out your eyes; if you learn to love you’re in for a surprise; it can be nice to be alive.
This is the same thing that X11 can do: You set the screen resolution to particular size, say 640×480, but then your desktop larger, say 1024×768, and then use the mouse to move around the display, giving you a “peephole” view of your desktop. This article proposes a technique for implementing this on a PDA, except without the mouse…. 🙂